Contents

Overview

When performed, Pikachu transforms into a ball of electricity and flies around the stage. During this time, anyone who comes into contact with Pikachu takes heavy damage and is sent flying after being electrocuted, plus if an attack button is pressed, Pikachu will launch thunderbolts surrounding the player. This attack causes 10% damage per hit. If hit with the lighting that can be activated by the attack button, it delivers 20% each hit. Also, this Final Smash is hard to control, and the player will be helpless when it finishes. If it is not controlled correctly, it can cause the player to self-destruct. However, if used efficiently, it can deal up to 350% damage, or up to 500% with repeated thunderbolts.

Origin

Volt Tackle in Heartgold and Soulsilver.

Volt Tackle is a damage-dealing Electric-type attack that was introduced in the Generation III Pokémon games, Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, although it would not be until Pokémon Emerald that the move could be used without trading. It is the signature move of Pikachu's evolutionary family and can only be learned by Pichu. This is done by having a female Pikachu or Raichu hold a Light Ball and then putting it with a compatible partner into the Day Care; all of its offspring Pichu will know Volt Tackle upon hatching. As a move, Volt Tackle is a physical counterpart to the special Electric-type move Thunder, though Thunder's power was slightly nerfed in Generation VI while Volt Tackle kept its power. While also more accurate, it has a drawback of the user receiving recoil damage equal to one-third inflicted to the target, though this effect is not present in its SSF2 incarnation.

This move in Pokémon is a direct reference to Voltteccer, the signature move of the titular character of a SEGA Mega Drive game called Pulseman made by GAME FREAK. The move's look and controls in the Super Smash Bros. series and SSF2 are also direct references to the move's look and controls from Pulseman.